Wednesday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time

Book of Isaiah

Thus says the LORD: Woe to Assyria! My rod in anger, my staff in wrath.
Against an impious nation I send him, and against a people under my wrath I order him To seize plunder, carry off loot, and tread them down like the mud of the streets.
But this is not what he intends, nor does he have this in mind; Rather, it is in his heart to destroy, to make an end of nations not a few.
and the boastfulness of his haughty eyes. For he says: "By my own power I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I am shrewd. I have moved the boundaries of peoples, their treasures I have pillaged, and, like a giant, I have put down the enthroned.
My hand has seized like a nest the riches of nations; As one takes eggs left alone, so I took in all the earth; No one fluttered a wing, or opened a mouth, or chirped!"
Will the axe boast against him who hews with it? Will the saw exalt itself above him who wields it? As if a rod could sway him who lifts it, or a staff him who is not wood!
Therefore the Lord, the LORD of hosts, will send among his fat ones leanness, And instead of his glory there will be kindling like the kindling of fire.

Psalms

Your people, O LORD, they trample down,
your inheritance they afflict.
Widow and stranger they slay,
the fatherless they murder.
And they say, "The LORD sees not;
the God of Jacob perceives not."
Understand, you senseless ones among the people;
and, you fools, when will you be wise?
Shall he who shaped the ear not hear?
Or he who formed the eye not see?
Shall he who instructs nations not chastise,
He who teaches men knowledge?
For the LORD will not cast off his people,
nor abandon his inheritance;
but judgment shall again be with justice,
and all the upright of heart shall follow it.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

At that time Jesus exclaimed, "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."

St. Teresa de Los Andes()

Saint Teresa de Los AndesCarmelite Nun (1900-1920) St. Teresa de los Andes was a Discalced Carmelite mystic and the first Chilean to be canonized. She was baptized Juanita Fernandez Solar and born in Santiago, Chile, on July 13, 1900 to an upper class family. From a very young age, she devoted herself to Christ. Reading the autobiography of the French Carmelite nun Thérèse of Lisieux had a profound effect on Juanita. After that experience, she wanted to live for God alone. Her upcoming First Communion deepened her commitment to religious life in union with Jesus. Juanita's first communion was followed by admission to the Discalced Carmelite monastery in Los Andes on May 7, 1919. She was given the religious name Teresa of Jesus. In her journal, she wrote, “I am God’s, He created me and is my beginning and my end.” Shebegan an apostolate of letter-writing, where she shared her thoughts on spiritual life with many people. Within a few months of entering the Order, Sr Teresa contracted typhus, which was diagnosed as fatal. She was still three months short of her twentieth birthday, and had six months to complete her canonical novitiate. Nevertheless, she was allowed to profess vows in periculo mortis (danger of death). She thereby passed away as a professed nun of the Order on April 12, 1920, during Holy Week. St. Teresa remains popular with pilgrims who visit her shrine each year, numbering in the tens of thousands. Her shrineis in the township of Los Andes, 60 miles (100km.) from Santiago. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Santiago on April 3, 1987, attended by her brother Luis. Six years later, she was canonized by the same pope.

St. Clelia Barbieri()

Saint Clelia Barbieri Foundress of the Congregation of the "Suore Minime dell'Addolorata" (1847-1870) Clelia Barbieri was born to Giacinta Nannetti and Giuseppe Barbieri on February 13, 1847. She grew up in a village called "Budrie" of S. Giovanni in Persiceto on the outskirts of Bologna, Italy. Her parents were of different origins: Giuseppe Barbieri came from perhaps the poorest family of "Budrie" while Giacinta from the most important family in town. Giuseppe worked as servant for Giacinta's uncle, the district's medical doctor, while she was the daughter of the well-to-do Pietro Nannetti.After Giacinta's much-contested wedding, she accepted the poverty of a laborer's life and moved from a comfortable home to the humble cottage of her father-in-law, Sante Barbieri. There, she raised a family built on the rock of faith and a fully Christian life. In line with Giacinta's expressed wish, Clelia was baptized on the very day of her birth. Giacintataught Clelia to love God early in her life, planting the desire for sanctity. One day, Clelia asked, "Mother, how can I become a saint?" As Giacinta nurtured her daughter's faith, she also helped Clelia learn the art of sewing, spinning and weaving kemp, which was the most important work of the district. In 1855, during a cholera epidemic, the eight-year-old Clelia lost her father. Through the generosity of her uncle, she, her mother and younger sister, Ernestina, moved into a more comfortable house near the parish church. For Clelia, the days became more saintly and dedicated. Anyone who wanted to see her could always find her either at home weaving and sewing or in church praying. Although it was usual at that time to receive First Communion almost at adulthood, Clelia, due to her unusual catechistic preparation and spirituality, made hers on June 17, 1858 at only eleven years of age. This was a decisive event for Clelia, who knew the value of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ (Mt. 26:26). It was while receiving communion that Clelia had her first mystical experience: exceptional contrition and repentance for her own sins and those of the world.She underwent anguish and suffering for the sins that crucified Christ and caused sorrow for Our Lady.From that day, Our Lady of Sorrows and the crucifix inspired her saintly soul.At the same time, she had a first inspiration as to her future, which she perceived based on prayer and good works. In adoration before the Holy Tabernacle, Clelia was motionless, rapt in prayer, while at home she was the companion and model for the other working girls. Far more mature than her years, she maintained contact with the girls in "Budrie," where working hemp fibers was the main occupation and where all were engaged in this hard work. Clelia brought a personal touch to her little world: she worked with joy and love, praying and thinking of God at all times and even speaking of Him to her companions. She lived in charity, completely dedicated to serving others. "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. (Mt. 25:40)" She was happy with the Lord and her happiness rested in listeningto Him. At this time, there was a group called "The Christian Catechism Workers" whose aim was to combat religious negligence. At "Budrie" the group was led by an elderly schoolteacher. To conduct apostolate, Clelia soon joined them. Through her involvement, the group was revitalized and more joined who shared the same ideals and dedication. At first, Clelia was admitted as an assistant teacher, but soon her talents and humility compelled the group to elect her as their leader. During that time, Clelia rejected several flattering marriage proposals. She instead served as the leader of a growing number of young women who devoted themselves to apostolate and a contemplative way of life. Clelia began receiving daily Holy Communion to nurture her faith and ennoble her catechism to the farmers and laborers in the area. Due to Italy's unification from 1866 to 1867, Clelia delayed her goal of founding a new congregation. Her dream was finally realized on May 1, 1868 when Clelia and her young friends moved into the so-called "teacher's house," where the Workers for Christian Catechism had formerly met. This was the humble beginning of Clelia Barbieri's religious family, which later was to be named the religious community of the "Suore Minime dell'Addolorata." Clelia chose the name "Minime" because of her devotion to Sts. Minimo Romito di Paola and Francesco, patrons and provident protectors of the young community. "Dell'Addolorata" was in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows, whose courage Clelia deeply admired. After moving into "the teacher's house," a series of extraordinary events in the form of assistance to the young community occurred which were undoubtedly the work of Divine Providence and without which the group could never have survived. Institutional support was virtually nonexistent, but the small initial group grew as well as the number of poor, sick and young boys and girls needing catechism and religious instruction. It dawned on people that Clelia was a genuine leader and teacher of the faith. They started calling her "Mother" although she was only twenty-two years old.They addressed her with this honorific until her death which came about very shortly. The dormant tuberculosis she had always carried suddenly flared up only two years after she had founded the order. Clelia died prophesizing to the sister at her bedside, "I'm leaving, but I'll never abandon you. When in that alfalfa field next to the church there will be a new community house, I will no longer be with you ... You will grow in number, and you will expand over plains and mountains to work in the vineyard of the Lord. The day will come when here at 'Budrie' many will arrive with carriages and horses ..."And she added, "I'm going to Heaven and all those who will die in our community will enjoy eternal life." She passed away on July 13, 1870, with the happiness of one going to meet her Beloved Lord and Spouse. Her prophecy has sincebeen fulfilled.The religious order Suore Minime dell'Addolorata has expanded and continues to grow. It extends throughout Italy, in India and in Tanzania. Today, the sisters following in Clelia's footsteps humbly continue the work of assisting those in need and now number three hundred, spread over thirty-five community houses. Being only twenty-three at the time of her death, Clelia Barbieri is the youngest founder of a religious community in the history of the Church.She was canonized in Rome on April 9, 1989, by Pope John Paul II. She hears our prayers for intercession in heaven, even as she gazes upon the face of her Beloved, forever and ever.

St. Henry II(the Pious (973-1024))

SAINT HENRY II, the PIUSEmperor(973-1024) Henry, Duke of Bavaria, had a vision of his guardian, St. Wolfgang, pointing to the words "after six." This moved him to prepare for death. For six years, he continued watching and praying, but at the end of the sixth year, he found the warning verified in his election as emperor. Thus trained in the fear of God, Henry ascended the throne with but one thought: to do everything for Jesus Christ. When pagan Slavs raided the borders of the Western empire, Henry attacked them with a small force. The pagans fled in panic when angels and Saints were seen leading Henry's troops. Whoever called upon the angels possessed tremendous grace and faith. As a consequence of the victory, Poland and Bohemia, Moravia and Burgundy, were annexed to Henry's kingdom, and Pannonia and Hungary were won to the Church. With the Faith secured in Germany, Henry passed into Italy and drove out the Antipope Gregory. He brought Pope Benedict VIII back to Rome, and was crowned in St. Peter's by that Pontiff in 1014. Henry's custom on arriving in town was to spend the first night praying in a church dedicated to our blessed Lady. As he was praying in St. Mary Major's during the first night in Rome, he saw the Sovereign and Eternal Priest Jesus Christ enter to say Mass. The mystical experience may be lost in the annals of history or buried in the Vatican's immense subterreanean libraries. The one thing certain is that an angel touched King Henry on the thigh, as the angel did to Jacob. The angel awarded Henry with a cross, saying, "Accept this sign of God's love for your chastity and justice;" and from that time, Henry was lame. Like King David, Henry employed the fruits of his conquests in the service of the temple. The forests and mines of his empire were consecrated to the sanctuary. Stately cathedrals, noble monasteries and churches rose to enlighten and sanctify once pagan lands. In 1022, Henry lay on his deathbed. He gave his wife, St. Cunegunda, back to her parents as a virgin. Surrendering his pure soul to God, Henry went into eternity to be with Jesus and Mary.

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2022 / Catholic Missal of july 2022